The W
Views: 178576663
Main | FAQ | Search: Y! / G | Color chart | Log in for more!
18.3.17 2219
The 7 - Current Events & Politics - Another proud moment from France's Past...
This thread has 2 referrals leading to it
Register and log in to post!
Pages: Prev 1 2(1081 newer) Next thread | Previous thread
User
Post (38 total)
pieman
As young as
he feels
Level: 123

Posts: 1557/3811
EXP: 21217339
For next: 13987

Since: 11.12.01
From: China, Maine

Since last post: 111 days
Last activity: 5 days
ICQ:  
Y!:
#21 Posted on 6.10.04 0754.03
Reposted on: 6.10.11 0758.21
    Originally posted by messenoir
    Again, it seems if we could get past childish insults and pride, a lot more good would come.


I think mess hits the nail on the head about a lot of the posts that occur in this forum. We are quick to lump "everyone" together. All the French are the same. All the Democrats are the same. All the Republicans are the same. All the whatevers are the same. If we did a little less judging of whole groups of people, we might be better off. Thanks, mess.
The Thrill
Banger
Level: 108

Posts: 1391/2781
EXP: 13123854
For next: 396689

Since: 16.4.02
From: Green Bay, WI

Since last post: 3624 days
Last activity: 223 days
#22 Posted on 6.10.04 0836.34
Reposted on: 6.10.11 0840.51
    Originally posted by AWArulz
    >Plus, I hate wine. But that's a personal thing. I also hate their whine. And love homonyms.


That, sir, was awesome.
whatever
Bierwurst
Level: 91

Posts: 427/1874
EXP: 7287914
For next: 181027

Since: 12.2.02
From: Cleveland, Ohio

Since last post: 1447 days
Last activity: 1407 days
#23 Posted on 6.10.04 0856.35
Reposted on: 6.10.11 0859.02
    Originally posted by pieman
    All the whatevers are the same.


Yes, yes we are.

"Remember that I am a unique individual, just like everyone else."

I'm with pieman and messenoir on this too, but it can be difficult. For example, I have try hard to remember that not all Republicans are hard-headed Ravens fans.

As for the French camp - wow. It's still no excuse for atrocities to be done today, anywhere.
tarnish
Landjager
Level: 66

Posts: 449/878
EXP: 2337039
For next: 124825

Since: 13.2.02
From: Back in the Heart of Hali

Since last post: 569 days
Last activity: 2 hours
Y!:
#24 Posted on 6.10.04 0905.10
Reposted on: 6.10.11 0907.01
    Originally posted by StaggerLee
      Originally posted by Malarky
      Are the women over there as great as we think, or is that a cliche?


    I dont think I have ever heard that French women were "great".

    Anyhow, the reason that I personally hate France, besides how the general population treated my when I was there, would be their status as surrender monkeys in any conflict that doesnt include a Greenpeace boat.


Your perception of someone else's cowardice is justification to hate an entire nation, one that has provided the world with some of the greatest art, literature, food, music, philosophy, and science?

Good to see the millenium continues to bring us to a greater understanding of our neighbors in the world.

For additional perspective on France and their "cheese-eating surrender-monkey" nature, here are a couple of links:

http://www.exile.ru/175/war_nerd.html

http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/columnists/molly_ivins/5222243.htm?1c
Grimis
Scrapple
Level: 135

Posts: 4053/4700
EXP: 28678229
For next: 656852

Since: 11.7.02
From: MD

Since last post: 4704 days
Last activity: 3158 days
#25 Posted on 6.10.04 0943.11
Reposted on: 6.10.11 0950.04
    Originally posted by whatever
    For example, I have try hard to remember that not all Republicans are hard-headed Ravens fans.
That's right. Most hard-headed Ravens fans are Democrats.
StaggerLee
Scrapple
Level: 161

Posts: 1975/7105
EXP: 53018489
For next: 1094744

Since: 3.10.02
From: Right side of the tracks

Since last post: 928 days
Last activity: 928 days
#26 Posted on 6.10.04 1004.23
Reposted on: 6.10.11 1004.49


Maybe I look at it in a different perspective than most. First, I dont, repeat DO NOT care about French food, literature, music, philosophy or art. It has absolutely no effect on my day to day life, and has never had any impact on me whatsoever.
What I DO care about is how when we need an ally, we can about 99% of the time count on them to not be there. When I was in France, not in Paris, BTW, but in Cannes, Nice, and St Tropez, I didnt run into a single polite Frenchman/woman. Granted, I was only there for six days, but, you would think that ONCE somebody would say 'thank you' or 'good morning' or something else similar. I have been to Ibezia, Mallorca, Gibralter, Malta, Corfu, Palermo, Naples, Rome, Mannaco, Jhibuti, Abu Dabi, Dubai, Jebel Ali, Bahrain, and a few smaller places in my European/Middle East travels, and without a doubt the French are the rudest, most inconsiderate, standoffish people I have encountered in my lifetime. So, for me, personally to say that I dont like them, cannot really be refuted. Listing two op ed pieces about how great they were a thousand years ago militarily, or how they lost 100,000 people in WW2, wont change my mind. Since we have nearly that many buried in thier soil, all put there when trying to free them from Nazi Germany when at least half of them wouldnt/didnt try to help themselves in that regard. But, if you are in awe of paintings, books, plays, or music, and just love them, more power to you. I have no use for them personally, because of how I was treated when I was there, and how I percieve their inaction globally.
Net Hack Slasher
Banger
Level: 108

Posts: 2609/2805
EXP: 13376259
For next: 144284

Since: 6.1.02
From: Outer reaches of your mind

Since last post: 7024 days
Last activity: 5444 days
#27 Posted on 6.10.04 1240.38
Reposted on: 6.10.11 1241.14
    Originally posted by AWArulz
    But to the grateful nation and cooperation, yes, the French helped us during the Revolution. Because they were enemies with England.

    They also made an attempt to break our large country up by supporting the confederacy during the Cvil war.

    Ancient history.

    We fought to save France (and the rest of Europe) from the Germans in a couple of Wars. We took over for France in Vietnam. We supported them when their deocracy was shakey at best.

    But - fly over them to drop a few bombs on Gadaffi? No. Support us in the UN on a bunch of issues? No. Participate in this current colilition (even though they HAD voted to enforce the sanctions against Iraq a number of times).


I wonder where the line is between "Ancient history" and You owe us and are eternally in dept to us for current (until we deem it to be ancitent) history.

So if French helped the U.S because they were enemies of England, can't the same be said about the U.S going to fight the Germans at WW2?... And please, you telling there's not at least *some* self interest in mind by NOT having Hitler gaining power in Europe. That's right only did it with the goodness of America's heart. Much like liberating Iraq was done simply with Iraqi people in mind.

With all the dissing of the French and the UN for not joining the Iraq war, does the reason that they were actually CORRECT about Iraq not being any sort of immediate threat mean anything... Oh lets blame them for actually being correct and not going into a war that seems to be more of a disaster every day that passes by.
messenoir
Summer sausage
Level: 49

Posts: 155/449
EXP: 854260
For next: 29629

Since: 20.2.02
From: Columbia, MO

Since last post: 3980 days
Last activity: 3847 days
#28 Posted on 6.10.04 1331.36
Reposted on: 6.10.11 1332.01
See, again, I don't want to get into which country is right, because we've both been right and wrong too many times too count, and it gets silly when you start pointing out individual actions as the reason one country is better then another.

France and the US have a lot to be proud of and a lot to ashamed of, and we should spend less time using another country's screw ups as the reason ours aren't so bad and more fixing our own screw ups.

Stagger, I am sorry you had a bad experience. There are rude people in France, but I've just never seen more of them there then anywhere else I've been. Maybe in Nice, sure, but Nice is pretty much like Paris. And both are a lot like NY, London, any other big city where there's a large population of very busy people who have to deal with lots of tourists, many who don't speak the language.

I know more then a few Asian people who have had horrible experiences in American cities because they couldn't speak the language, but that doesn't mean they should hate the US.

I'm sorry you personally had a bad experience in France, but I know plenty of people who've had a wonderful experience there, and I don't think either their experience or your experience should be cause for how the US treats France as an ally, and vice versa.

And yes, France didn't help the US because they had some overriding concern for America, and the US helped France because they were attacked, and not out of some overriding concern for France.

And yes, France has had some horrible human rights buses in its past (Charles De Gaulle was not a very good man), and so have the US. The head scarf ban in France right now is horrible and discriminatory and needs changing, the Patriot Act and treatment of Muslims in the US is also horrible and discriminatory.

As concerns not caring about French culture, you use many items throughout the day that originated in France, like blue jeans (which come from Nimes), so unless you want to take off your pants, there are some ways French culture influences you:-)

And for me, culture and art and music are simply the most important part of a country. Without these, a country is stagnant. I love French culture, I love US culture, (aside from pop music, which is just as atrocious in France. See, another thing the French and Americans can rally behind, getting rid of Britney Spears) and I love the small town life in both countries.

Which is why I suppose it is easier for me to also point out the faults of both my countries, because I do care about them both and want them to change for the better.

With that, my long rambling post is done.
eviljonhunt81
Pepperoni
Level: 72

Posts: 999/1084
EXP: 3213485
For next: 110293

Since: 6.1.02
From: not Japan

Since last post: 6422 days
Last activity: 6419 days
#29 Posted on 6.10.04 2256.02
Reposted on: 6.10.11 2256.26
To add fuel to the fire:

A new book claims France was prepared to send troops to Iraq (Wash. Post). Apparently the deal fell through when the U.S. refused to allow the U.N. inspectors more time.

Interestingly, rather than denying this allegation, the White House simply had "no comment."
LionJeetSingh
Chourico
Level: 40

Posts: 185/282
EXP: 415170
For next: 26143

Since: 3.3.03

Since last post: 6740 days
Last activity: 6567 days
#30 Posted on 6.10.04 2302.31
Reposted on: 6.10.11 2303.15
    Originally posted by StaggerLee


    Maybe I look at it in a different perspective than most. First, I dont, repeat DO NOT care about French food, literature, music, philosophy or art. It has absolutely no effect on my day to day life, and has never had any impact on me whatsoever.
    What I DO care about is how when we need an ally, we can about 99% of the time count on them to not be there. When I was in France, not in Paris, BTW, but in Cannes, Nice, and St Tropez, I didnt run into a single polite Frenchman/woman. Granted, I was only there for six days, but, you would think that ONCE somebody would say 'thank you' or 'good morning' or something else similar. I have been to Ibezia, Mallorca, Gibralter, Malta, Corfu, Palermo, Naples, Rome, Mannaco, Jhibuti, Abu Dabi, Dubai, Jebel Ali, Bahrain, and a few smaller places in my European/Middle East travels, and without a doubt the French are the rudest, most inconsiderate, standoffish people I have encountered in my lifetime. So, for me, personally to say that I dont like them, cannot really be refuted. Listing two op ed pieces about how great they were a thousand years ago militarily, or how they lost 100,000 people in WW2, wont change my mind. Since we have nearly that many buried in thier soil, all put there when trying to free them from Nazi Germany when at least half of them wouldnt/didnt try to help themselves in that regard. But, if you are in awe of paintings, books, plays, or music, and just love them, more power to you. I have no use for them personally, because of how I was treated when I was there, and how I percieve their inaction globally.


A black man once stole my bike in Jr. High. I had a negative experience therefore I hate all black people.

8-)
StaggerLee
Scrapple
Level: 161

Posts: 1985/7105
EXP: 53018489
For next: 1094744

Since: 3.10.02
From: Right side of the tracks

Since last post: 928 days
Last activity: 928 days
#31 Posted on 7.10.04 1155.13
Reposted on: 7.10.11 1159.01
Well, if it was only ONE French person who was ignorant to me, I would write it off, but when ever last person you meet while someplace for a week is ignorant, its quite different.
JoshMann
Andouille
Level: 95

Posts: 1225/2159
EXP: 8645685
For next: 22953

Since: 17.11.03
From: Tallahassee, FL

Since last post: 5726 days
Last activity: 5724 days
Y!:
#32 Posted on 7.10.04 1215.18
Reposted on: 7.10.11 1215.58
    Originally posted by StaggerLee
    Well, if it was only ONE French person who was ignorant to me, I would write it off, but when ever last person you meet while someplace for a week is ignorant, its quite different.


Did those people sound anything like this? Or this?




(edited by Blanket Jackson on 7.10.04 1315)
LionJeetSingh
Chourico
Level: 40

Posts: 186/282
EXP: 415170
For next: 26143

Since: 3.3.03

Since last post: 6740 days
Last activity: 6567 days
#33 Posted on 7.10.04 1325.53
Reposted on: 7.10.11 1327.27
I do believe there is some truth to stereotypes otherwise they wouldn't exist, however, you cannot generalize an entire population on the actions of even the majority.


For example...

Are Asians bad drivers? Most I have seen are but that I still can't conclude that it applies to the entire population.



Next time you travel you might want to tell people you're Canadian because you'll get treated much better



messenoir
Summer sausage
Level: 49

Posts: 158/449
EXP: 854260
For next: 29629

Since: 20.2.02
From: Columbia, MO

Since last post: 3980 days
Last activity: 3847 days
#34 Posted on 7.10.04 1607.38
Reposted on: 7.10.11 1607.52
    Originally posted by Blanket Jackson
      Originally posted by StaggerLee
      Well, if it was only ONE French person who was ignorant to me, I would write it off, but when ever last person you meet while someplace for a week is ignorant, its quite different.


    Did those people sound anything like this? Or this?




    (edited by Blanket Jackson on 7.10.04 1315)


Or did they look like me?:

(image removed)
PalpatineW
Lap cheong
Level: 83

Posts: 1303/1528
EXP: 5379314
For next: 52930

Since: 2.1.02
From: Getting Rowdy

Since last post: 6264 days
Last activity: 6107 days
#35 Posted on 7.10.04 2107.43
Reposted on: 7.10.11 2108.07
    Originally posted by eviljonhunt81
    To add fuel to the fire:

    A new book claims France was prepared to send troops to Iraq (Wash. Post). Apparently the deal fell through when the U.S. refused to allow the U.N. inspectors more time.

    Interestingly, rather than denying this allegation, the White House simply had "no comment."


It's been rather conclusively proven that France was on Saddam's payroll, re: oil for food. Could be the White House doesn't want to resort to that defense, in the interests of not pissing off a nominal ally (there's a lesson here, Mr Kerry).
Malarky
Bauerwurst
Level: 26

Posts: 104/104
EXP: 89690
For next: 12587

Since: 19.8.04

Since last post: 7101 days
Last activity: 7098 days
#36 Posted on 8.10.04 1125.01
Reposted on: 8.10.11 1129.01
It's also been proven conclusively that Saddam was on the U.S. payroll throughout the 1980's while he was busy gassing thousands of Kurds and torturing/raping/killing anyone who dared stand in his way. But back to bashing the French.....
dMr
Andouille
Level: 97

Posts: 1454/2229
EXP: 9298624
For next: 18734

Since: 2.11.02
From: Edinburgh, Scotland

Since last post: 2843 days
Last activity: 1189 days
#37 Posted on 8.10.04 1159.40
Reposted on: 8.10.11 1201.00
    Originally posted by StaggerLee
    Well, if it was only ONE French person who was ignorant to me, I would write it off, but when ever last person you meet while someplace for a week is ignorant, its quite different.


For what its worth I found most French people I met to be pretty reasonable. Being Scottish is pretty good for getting a free pass in most countries though. Its usually greeted with a cry of 'WHISKY!' or 'AH, HAGGIS!' accompanied by an uncommonly cheesy grin. God knows why. I mean if we had form for giving the shit away to random foreigners willy nilly I'd understand the glee, but if anything we're renowned for not giving away a damn thing.

I lived in halls with a Parisian dude for a while and his take on the 'French people make no effort to be nice to tourists' was that they were more than helpful provided the person they were dealing with at least made a half hearted attempt to try and speak French.

If on the other hand they thought the person wasn't making an effort they'd be deliberately obnoxious in their refusal to speak English in retaliation.

Dunno if that's what happened in your case or if the people you encountered were just tossers. I've dealt with a fair few wazzucks of French tourists back in my barman days so it may be the later.

As far as rudeness goes London comes comfortably top of the pops of the cities I've been to so far. People would barge into you without so much as a glance of acknowledgement, pleasantries were rarely proferred by bar staff, and queueing appeared to be something that happened to other people as far as the locals were concerned.

    Originally posted by AWArulz
    Their women often smell badly, unless they have been liberally coated with fine french perfume. This is possibly because a fair number of them don't know what a razor is


The smell I never noticed, but the hair, oh hell yeah. It seems to be a continental thing. The Spanish and Italians are much the same. God knows what inspires it. Its not like they need the body hair to keep out cold local climes or anything.
Net Hack Slasher
Banger
Level: 108

Posts: 2616/2805
EXP: 13376259
For next: 144284

Since: 6.1.02
From: Outer reaches of your mind

Since last post: 7024 days
Last activity: 5444 days
#38 Posted on 9.10.04 0616.12
Reposted on: 9.10.11 0618.11
    Originally posted by LionJeetSingh
    Are Asians bad drivers? Most I have seen are but that I still can't conclude that it applies to the entire population.

Sure you can, but Asians are okay in my book as they are gifted in creativity and invention... What's a little bad driving, when you can go to Japan or any Asian country and they can turn a television into a watch.

Did good ol' Reggie ever gave his opinion on the French?
ALL ORIGINAL POSTS IN THIS THREAD ARE NOW AVAILABLE
Pages: Prev 1 2Thread ahead: Anoother Proud Moment in Racial Harmony....
Next thread: New Iraqi WMD report
Previous thread: This is why we are on the offensive....
(1081 newer) Next thread | Previous thread
The 7 - Current Events & Politics - Another proud moment from France's Past...Register and log in to post!

The W™ message board - 7 year recycle

ZimBoard
©2001-2024 Brothers Zim
This old hunk of junk rendered your page in 0.183 seconds.